Money Smarts Blog

Alright, it's scholarship season, and if you want to catch the attention of the judges (and let’s be real, get some cash for college), your essay needs to stand out like a viral TikTok. As someone who spends their days crafting the perfect message to grab attention, here’s how to write an essay that’ll make your scholarship application pop:

1. Be authentic – No copy-paste or AI, please

As a marketing pro, I can tell you this: no one likes generic, cookie-cutter content. Your scholarship essay should be all about you. Don’t try sounding like a robot or copying what the judges want to hear. Tell your unique story — what drives you, what makes you tick, and why you’re passionate about your goals. Make it personal, make it real, and make it something only you could write. Authenticity sells, every time. And while AI tools might be tempting to use, they can’t capture the true essence of your voice and personality. Scholarship committees want to hear your story, not something that sounds like a machine wrote it. Stay true to yourself!

2. Answer the Prompt – Stay focused, keep it tight

In marketing, we call it staying on brand — and you should apply the same strategy to your essay. If the prompt asks about your biggest achievement, don’t start going off about your obsession with Netflix or how much you love pizza (unless, of course, you're applying for a pizza scholarship). Stay on topic and make sure your essay directly answers the question. Think of it like your elevator pitch: you only have a few seconds (or in this case, a few hundred words) to make an impact.

3. Customize your essay – No “one-size-fits-all” content

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a bland marketing email that clearly wasn’t tailored to you, you know how it feels. Now, imagine the scholarship committee reading a “one-size-fits-all” essay. Total snooze fest. Don’t do it. Each scholarship is different, so each essay should be too. Tailor your response to the specific prompt and show the judges why you’re the perfect fit for their scholarship. Personalization is key — it’s like a custom ad campaign, but for your future.

4. Proofread – A few typos can kill your credibility

In marketing, we know that even a tiny mistake can turn people off. The same goes for your scholarship essay. Typos, grammar errors, and awkward phrasing can make you look unprofessional, and trust me, no one wants to read an essay full of mistakes. Give your essay a solid proofread, and if possible, have someone else review it too. Get fresh eyes on it to catch anything you might’ve missed. A clean, polished essay shows you care about your work and take pride in what you submit.

5. Plan ahead – No last-minute submissions

As a marketing and communications person, I can tell you that deadlines are sacred. Don’t treat your scholarship essay like a last-minute social media post. Give yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, and revise. Start early so you can craft a thoughtful, well-rounded essay, not just a rushed “I-need-to-submit-this-now” piece. Plus, with extra time, you can actually sleep at night without stressing about that 11:59 deadline.

Stick to these five tips, and your essay will shine like a killer Instagram reel. Keep your message clear, your tone real, and your content on point. Ready to crush it? Good luck, and don’t forget — this is your moment to show the world what you’re all about!